Superhero adventure Guardians is set to be Russia’s answer to Marvel’s hugely successful stream of comic-book blockbusters.
The film, called Zaschitniki in Russian, follows a set of mutants who are recruited by the government to fight against an evil supervillain. It’s set in the cold war and features characters who represent the different nationalities of the Soviet Union, including a man who can transform into a bear and a woman who turns into water.
The film is directed by Sarik Andreasyan, the Armenian behind the Russian hit Pregnant, about a man who finds himself on course to give birth, and American Heist, an English-language thriller with Hayden Christensen, Adrien Brody and Akon.
Superhero films have proved successful in Russia, with Avengers: Age of Ultron becoming 2015’s biggest hit, making $34m (£25m). But no Hollywood film since 2013 has outgrossed the homegrown 3D war drama Stalingrad, which made $52m.
Guardians is set to hit Russian cinemas next year, but no UK and US dates have been confirmed. A sequel has already been greenlit.
